PEP: Princess Punzalan is happy for ex-husband Willie Revillame's success

After a long absence from Philippine showbiz, one of the country's premiere kontrabidas, Princess Punzalan, returns to the small screen through GMA-7's The Last Prince, where she plays an evil witch.

Princess, who is now based in the United States, said she missed acting so much that when she was planning to come home in December, she e-mailed her manager, Angeli Valenciano, to scare up some roles for her during her vacation.

"Nagpasabi ako kay Angeli. Timing naman na may binubuo silang show kaya napasama ako," she told the press after the fantaserye's presscon last January 6, in GMA-7's Studio 5.

The Star Awards winner for Best Actress settled in California after she married her American boyfriend, Jason Field, a marketing professional. Princess now studies nursing in Sta. Monica College.

She was last seen on Philippine TV in 2005 playing the evil aunt of Ryza Cenon and LJ Reyes in GMA-7's afternoon drama series Now and Forever.

Princess still has one taping day left for The Last Prince before she flies back to California before the end of January.

JASON FIELD. Princess met her husband through a common friend.

"Minatch niya kami kasi sabi niya, 'Princess, parang nararamdaman ko na yung ugali niya at ugali mo ay magiging swak. Magiging compatible'... Nung umpisa friendship-friendship lang, tapos na-develop," Princess narrated.

She said she conducted some tests to gauge Jason's real personality before she married him.

"Nakita ko naman kung gaano kaganda yung paraan niya ng pag-a-approach dun sa mga sudden situations. At saka kung ano yung klase ng trato niya sa mga tao. Parang may mga test akong pinadaan, pasado siya," she said.

She also remembered the advice of her mother, the late Helen Vela, to observe men in different situations.

"Sa laro, makikita mo kung pikon, manloloko o madaya. Sa pagkain, makikita mo kung concerned ba siya sa ibang tao, kasi minsan pagpunta mo sa buffet inubos mo na lahat o takaw-mata. So, madami kang makikitang ugali, e. Yun yung advice ng nanay ko," Princess related.

Princess and Jason have been married for five years and are waitng to have kids.

WILLIE REVILLAME. Princess was previously married to controversial TV host Willie Revillame, so it's no surprise that the press asked her what she thought of him years after they separated.

Princess answered she was happy for his success. "Alam kong pangarap niya itong matagal na," she said.

Her short stay in the Philippines prevents her from meeting Willie, but she does not have qualms about talking to her previous partner.

"Wala naman kaming problema. Naghiwalay kami nang maayos. Hindi kami nagpalitan ng masamang salita," she said.

Any comment on Willie's lovelife?

"E... wala naman akong masasabi kundi ang tunay na kaligayahan naman ay di nanggagaling sa mga materyal na bagay or sa posisyon mo sa buhay. Nasa relasyon mo 'yan sa Diyos. Kung at peace ka sa Diyos, at peace ka sa sarili mo, at peace ka sa mga tao sa paligid mo, e di masayang-masaya ka," Princess said. - Mark Angelo Ching, PEP